THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, MONDAY, AUGUST 15.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 827, 15 August 1864, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, MONDAY, AUGUST 15.

There appears to be no doubt that negotiations for peace are going on, though there is no information as to their probable measure of success. There is reason, however, to hope that the terms to which the Natives will be willing to accede will not be of a nature that the Colony should refuse to grant. There is great room for fear, however, that their nature will not come up to the standard pleasing to the party represented by the Southern Cross. Our contemporary is said to reflect the opinions of a very influential section of the Auckland people \ and if the reflection be faithful, their policy can scarcely be characterised as anything but a rapacious desire for the acquisition of as much territory as possible from the dispossessed natives. There is no means of knowing how far they are able to enforce their views on the Government, but we are safe in saying, the greater their power the less the probaOF THE ABERDEEN

bility of peace. No one can deny that the Waikatos should be deprived of so much of their territory as is necessary, in the shape of military settlements, to afford a " material guarantee" for their future goodbehavior. But in the interest of the colony, indeed we may say in the interest of humanity, it is not desirable they should be sent forth as landless, homeless,wanderers, to fight out their resting places.

It is not to be denied that the proceedings of the Grovernni9nt in reterence to Ngaruawahia are calculated to cause grave distrust. The sale is being hurried on for no purpose whatever except to please the Auckland speculators. No one can say what is the nature of the title it is proposed to give. There has been no proclamation of confiscation, the terms of the Settlements Act or of Mr Cardwell's restrictions have not been complied with, the notification of sale is simply signed by the surveyor. The proceeding is neither more nor less than a defiance of the Home Government, and as if to make the matter worse, it is a breach of faith with the military settlers. It was always understood they were to have the first pick of the attainted lands. If they had been told, when they were asked to enlist, that the Auckland speculators were to have the first choice, not a hundred of them would have joined. The New Zealand " Settlements Act" indeed reduces this principle to law. It first provides for town and farm lands being laid out for the military settlers, and then says :— " After setting apart sufficient land for all " the persons who shall be entitled thereto " under the said Contracts it shall be law- '• ful for the Governor in Council to cause " towns to be surveyed and laid out and •' also suburban and rural allotments. All " such town suburban and rural land shall ,' be let, sold, occupied and disposed of " for such prices in such manner and for " such purposes upon such terms and " subject to such Regulations as the Go- " vernor in Council shall from time to " time prescribe for that purpose."

It is possible the Government may, by a technicality maintain that the sale of Ngaruawahia does not violate the Act. They may say they have put apart land for settlers. But substantially it is an evasion. Before the military settlers are located this town is to be offered for sale, and it must exercise a most injurious influence on the value of their possessions. The military settlers should be left to form their settlements by their own exertions and for their own benefit. Such external aid as they required they could themselves invite. Indeed, if the Government had at heart the success of the settlement scheme, no greater encouragement and aid to it could have been found than the giving the settlers allotments already valuable by position, .such as those of Njjaruawahia. The few thousands of pounds the sale may realise will be as nothing compared with the loss that will be occasioned by the diminished confidence and energy of the settlers. Already we hear of many of these men, thinking!so little of the land the Government are likely to give them, as to throw up their claims to it and leave the service. ' This is a practical commentary on the diversion of Ngaruawahia to the Auckland speculators. Had it been given to the Military Settlers, how many others would it not have pressed into the service. Far and near the good fortune of the selected recipients would have travelled, and volunteers have poured in. Ngaruawahia might have been made the key to the success of the settlements scheme. As it is, it is likely to prove its bane, because, in proportion as the Auckland speculators develope Ngaruawahia, they will reduce the value of the inferior towns doled out to the Military Settlers. " ; ■.

From the practice of the Government we turn to the theory of, the extreme party .whose organ is the Southern Cross. We quoted a few days ago an extract from that journal in which it plainly intimated that " conquest" was the policy of the Government, that while there was more land to be conquered there was to be no. peace, and that the General should be ready in the Spring to pursue further hostilities against the Maoris. Following this production, the Crosshai an article in which it sought to excuse confiscation on the grounds that it was a native practice. In illustration it gave several instances of what.had occurred in past times in wars between the natives themselves. Its last example was the case of the invasion of the Chatham Islands, when it alleges the conquering Maories mutilated the male inhabitants of the Islands to prevent a propagation of the race. We have carefully read the article to ascertain the meaning of this filthy episode being introduced. All we can. make of it is that the Southern Cross claims to prove that the Europeans might go very far on the road to iniquity without , exceeding in atrocity examples that could j be raked out of Maori traditions. It is come to this, then :—The advocates of exhaustive confiscation are willing, if all other excuse fail them, to rest their defence upon the instances of barbarous practice they are able to ferret out from the ! records of a savage race. There is no telling the length to which unprincipled acquisitiveness may be carried. By-and-by, perhaps the Southern Cross will tell us that it is justifiable to eat the Natives, because in former times cannibalism prevailed amongst them. In the same ar[CLIPPEE BBIG FAWN,

tide the Cross says :—" The Native cas- " torn is conquer and hold—the Govern- "■ raent intend to conform most strictly to " this time-honored Maori-usage." Is it rash to ask how far they intend to carry their adoption of Native customs ? We refer t© all this apropos of the Governor and General's peace mission to Tauranga, because it is important to remember that an influential agency is at work, the object of which is an3'thing but peace.

An important item of the news from the North is that the Home Government have notified their intention of withdrawing all the troops, with the exception of one regiment, during the forthcoming year. In the event of more than the stipulated force being required, the Colony will have to pay for it at the rate of about £40,000 per regiment per annum- This intimation is perhaps in some measure due to the desire of the Imperial authorities to concentrate the troops at home in the event of Continental disturbances. But mainly it may be regarded as a hint that England is tired of the New Zealand War, and that if the Colony has not had enough of it, it must be content to pay for the luxury of its prolongation. It is by no means to be regretted that this strong hint has been, given; it may pave the way to the peace, the interest of the Colony so much requires.

In these Southern colonies, so distant from the old-world seats of civilisation, and in which, consequently, the inhabitants are, to a great extent, unimpressed by the passions and emotions which animate those who live in and around the countries in which events are -occurring tending to war or peace, it is both amusing ami instructive to examine the European newspapers in reference to them. In foreign journals, the questions discussed are chiefly of a social character, politics being only referred to when by permission or command they enunciate the opinions or intentions of the powers that be. But in the English papers where absolute freedom exists, every phase of thought and feeling is fully and freely set forth and criticised. There is too a classification of papers for special objects. Some are mere organs of party, upholding or opposing the "ins" or the "outs"—the men in office, or the men who wish to be there. Others aim merely at literary celebrity. Some at philosophic and others at* commercial influence. And each from its own point of view examines and criticises the subjects which agitate the world, or which have an incidence upon the fate of nations, societies, or individuals. Of the latter class, the Commercial, the Economist occupies a deservedly leading position. It is not so much an echo of the mercantile mind of Britain as a leader of its opinions, and all the questions canvassed in its pages are, for the most part, stripped of those accessories which tend to give them a romantic or sensational aspect. They are usually treated in a calm, matter of fact, logical spirit, nothing extenuating nor aught setting down in malice, and therefore, though at times no doubt in error, its warnings, political or financial, are not to be disregarded. It is in this matter of fact manner that dangers arising from Continental misunderstandings of England are considered in its pages. We are apt as Britons to look upon our free institutions as applicable alike to all nation?, and to imagine that the pecular style of diplomacy —the red-tapism as it is usuallytermed—which is to a great extent inseparable from Responsible Government, is equally applicable to arrangements with other States. But this is not the case. The French and the Americans, remark? the Economist, are constantly exclaiming ? ." Oh, you don't at all comprehend us, and " you never will. You misconstrue both " our motives and our conduct, and seem " quite unable to do justice to the lofti- " ness or the excellence ot our political "institutions." Just this language was applicable to the Prussians and Austrians in their relations with England, at the departure of the last mail. To quote the lauguaoje of the article referred to—'• Neither the German Govern- " ments nor the German people appear to " have any real insight into the actual "temper and political idiosyncracies of " Englishmen ; and their blindness is at " the present crisis full of danger." The writer considers the danger to arise from the discrepancies that have taken place between the language and the actions of Great Britain ; the language having been* that of menace, while the action has been; that of peace. This anomaly has, to a certain extent, led to a misunderstanding of the national character. Because the threats have not been immediately followed by an armed demonstration, —because England i can afford to put up with affronts that i ' nations, less powerful, would deem it ne- ] cessary to their honor to resent; —-because those who have much to lose, and who have vast property embarked in enterprises which war or disturbance would jeopardise, have reason to fear hostilities; —because each of these reasons seperately, and the whole combined, render Britain slow to engage in expensive and destructive wars, it is assnmed on the part of the the Continental nations, that she will bear anything ; and that the " aver- " sion. to war will continue to the end." It ia argued with truth that " they never 206 TONS REGISTER.

"fell into a more complete and mis " chievous error in their lives." . . .

" They cannot understand that, though " not a military people, we are essentially " a warlike people; that onr middle " classes, and even our working classes, •' are easily aroused to take aa intense in- " terest in war; that they are more excited " than most nations by tales of victory or " defeat; and that no conflict can go on " long near their own shore, especially if 11 it be accompanied with stirring incidents, " without arousing in them a strong in- " clination to join in the affray."

This national characteristic is what Continental nations and Governments cannot, or will not understand. History teems with illustrations of. its truth, and contains facts replete with intimations that, though slow to move, when once aroused, England is not soou pacified—but they are blind to its instruction, they cannot understand " the excessively vehement, and after a time " almost bloodthirsty, though perfectly " disinterested, indignation which is gene- " rated in the English mind, at the sight "of manifest injustice, especially when " that injustice is perpetrated by the " strong upon the weak. They scarcely "realise at all that a nation; so slow to "suspect insult, and so thickskinned as " often to laugh at it, will, if it is repeated " and persisted in, gradually flare up into "a degree of fury to which their own " touchy and superficial passions are a " joke. Least of all do they understand, "or can they believe that, when once " these sentiments have reached a certain " point, the most pertinacious and " eloquent remonstrances of the ' Peace " Party' are absolutely unheardi the " fear of heavy , taxation and extravagant expenditure and mercantile "disturbance disappears like smoke, "and even the commercial classes " become as furiously warlike as the army " itself. If they had watched the gradual •' and of late rapid change that has come " over English feeling since the crossing "of the Eider and the storming of " Diippel; if they had heard the cheers " with which the news of the Danish " victory off Heligoland was welcomed, " not only in the House of Commons but " on the Stock Exchange-^-they might be " made aware that the nation has- at last " been pretty nearly goaded into a mood " which is very dangerous and may soon "become well-nigh irrational."

This then is the danger—the- Coninental nations do not understand England. They read of the doings of the peace party and they see the earnestness with- which British Statesmen have striven to- avoid the arbitrement of the sword, and they imagine it is because the nation fears war, or its consequences, that these pacific measures are advocated. Our contemporary expresses the opinion that some months back had the Cabinet wished to go> to war, it would not have been able, as the two great Teutonic powers had not proceeded far enough to excite indignation. "We do not say," observes the writer, " that we should be able to- give a " satisfactory reply to any philosophic " Austrian who asked us what object we "proposed to ourselves by going^o war. " We should merely be able to-explain "to him that we went to war, not uto enforce these or those terms, "this or that compromise, but-because " the injustice and wanton cruelty com- " mitted by him and his had made our ■' honest blood boil, and that we could look "on inactive no longer. We should go to " war, not because we had a purpose to " gain, but because we had feelings—and " and righteous feelings—to express." While, therefore, in the interests of humanity, it is earnestly to be desired that the deliberations of the Conference may have amicably and permanently settled the questions in dispute between Denmark and the Duchies, it will be no matter for surprise ifthe forthcoming mail bring the news of England having engaged in active hostilities for the defence of Denmark.

The- Canterbury papers have published the correspondence between<the Local and General Governments on the subject of Provincial Loans. W.e present it in another column. The memorandum by Mr Hall, the Provincial. Secretary for Public- Works, is an admirable one, and contrasts very favourably with the reply of the Colonial Secretary.. if what he writes be true, and of course there is no reason to>doubt it, he makes.out a very strong case in favour of Canterbury,, and-sketches out :a policy which cannot be deemed ex.-- ---• travagant. Mr Eox's reply is far less satisfactory. The:plan.he. promises on be- < half of the Gqvernmenl; does not possess the safeguards which Mr Hall assumes will be -matters, of necessity. In suggesting certain alternative proposals, Mr HalLsays: " In either case, all necessary conditions " being imposed for the proper application "of the amounts, raised, and for the | " punctual; payment of the interest and " sinking fund out of the Provincial " revenue*" But Mr Fox ia his reply, says nothing of these precautions—his proposal is simply to dismiss, the subject by giving the Colonial guarantee to existing Provincial Loans,, and to leave future Loans to the Assembly. It is not our purpose now to enter into, a discussion of tjb.e matter, because probably further information concerning it will shortly be afforded, when its various bearings can. "be more conveniently considered. But it is ON TUESDAY,

necessary to point out that Mr Fox, in omitting all reference in his policy to any provisions by which the Provinces will be tied down to their respective and several liabilities, overlooks the most important part of the subject. Any scheme by which the Colony assists the Provinces, will be essentially unfair to both, if it do not provide ample security that each Province will >be ultimately liable for the debts incurred on its Dehalf. How to put in practice this theory is the great difficulty of the whole subject, and very conveniently Mr Fbs disposes of it by not referring to it. His plan, as he places it, simply means that the G-overa-ment is prepared to propose an increase of Colonial indebtedness to an esfcent of something like two and a half millions—we believe the sanctioned Provincial Loans nearly, if not quite, reach that amountThis is the aspect Mr Fox's proposal will wear to those who read it at Home. The holders of New Zealand securities will say,- ---" here is another Loan, this time it is not " for war expenses but to pay the debts of " the Provinces." Far from seeingrthat it is a part of Mr Fox's idea that the Provinces should ultimately bear the liability, 'the critics will ask: themselves how often the Pnmhcesare likely to " rush" the Central Government with demands for the payment of their debts. Ifc is an unfortunate thing for men holding important public positions to put their pens to paper hurriedly. In this instance Mr Fox seems to have done so r not recognising the vast importanceof dealing with the subject comprehensively—if for no other object than that of allaying the anxiety felt about it. An odd kind of retribution indeed appears to be at work.. The exigencies of tlie Colony have already materially damaged the credit of the Provinces, and now the wants of the Provinces seem likely to do the same office for the credit of the Colony.

A statement of the "Estimated Revenue and Expenditure of the Province of Southland for the three months ending the 30th Sep--tetnber, 1864," has been issued by the Provincial Government; The estimated revenueamounts to £8050,-of which the principal items are :—Customs three-eighths, £3000j auction and publicans' licenses, £1000; and refund from the General Government for the purchase of Stewart's Island, £2000. The total estimated expenditure is set down at £14,428 4s 6d, from which has to be deducted the sum of £1549-11s 8d for the Land and Survey Department, paid by the General Government. Under the head of Railways,, there is the item of £590 4s, representing the three months' salaries of the permanent stafK According to this statement, the estimated expenditure is something more than 50 per cent, in excess of the estimated revenue.

We published a statement the other daytaken from one of the Auckland papers, to" the effect that the Maori prisoners at Auckland had declined 'to reside on the Island of Kawau. We find, however, that they have since changed their minds, for we learn from, the New Zealander of the 3rd inst. that the hulk Marion was towed" out of Auckland Harbor on tbe previous day, for the purpose of being moored off the Island of Kawau. The natives will remain oatheisland in compliance with the wish of the Governor.

M. Eieury, tbe able conductor and leader of the orchestra at the Princess Theatre, is about to give a series of promenade concerts afterthe style of his countryman, M. Jallien. They are to-be giveu in the Vestibule of the Theatre, the latter being* to be renovated-ani re-decorated for the performances of the Lyster Opera Troupe. The programme ef the first concert, this evening, is a capital one ;. and we doubt not that M. Meuvy's sekeme, which may be taken as-an introduetura?to the promised/operas, will prove very successful. The change,for admission is low ; ; »od it is notified that the eatrance will be from StafforSftstreet only.

Mr and Mrs Holt made their last appearance (&r the present,, only, we hope): at the Princess Theatre, on. Saturday evening ; and again there was a demonstration oru-the part of the-audience, that showed how high both, are appreciated. " Par ting"is" sweet sorrow,? Sbakspere aays; and in this case there certainly is a sorrow, the sweetness of which to those who ar». leaving a public before -

which they-have so constantly appeared, may welb-be regarded* as consisting^ the know — ledge that two years of most arduous exertion. have really secured" troopsiof friends," of as true a stamp as-those who labor for the public entertainment can- hopa to. secure. In. <*©lack-ey'd Susan," Mr and-Mrs Holt acted"; most admirably,, on Saturday evening ; and: when the curtain had fallen,.there was almost ■■ a shout for their re-appearancs. They canie^ i and applause of .the- most hearty nature -yas. ': continued for several minutes. Then Mr : Holt spoke. He couM. only (he said) repeat the remarks he made on. the previous evenings From his-heart, he thanked the audience for j the great kindness, constantly shown to his. wife an& himself. He did not like partingfrom such friends $ but they both needed rest* and he; hoped the -voyage to and from England would, give them fresh vigour. They trusted,. indee^V to return; but now, they must bid what.seemed truly "a long farewet;' to their kind friends in. Duneclin. There was more ap^ause; both Mr and Mrs Holt, seemed lath: to leave the stage; and, at length, as they cud so^each cast "one longing, lingering look i.ohind" upon the stage on which they have almost nightly, for nearly two. years, appeared with such genuine success. The Southland News states that the bridge -over the Oreti, near "Wallacetown, is now nearly completed. This structure was originally designed by Mr Heale, the chief surveyor of the province, the project being perfected by Mr G. B. Steplienson, of Westminster. The bridge, which is of if on was 30 CASES AND BALES

■manufactured in England, at a cost of £1200. To this must be added the sum of £1700, being the cost of taking the bridge from the ship's side and erecting it ; and also a further sumforfrdghtfromEngland, probably amounting to £250. THe structure is a lattice girder bridge of two spans of 55 feet each, erected on iron piles screwed into the bed of the river. The length of the bridge is 123 feet, and there is a clear roadway of 16 feet I in. Messrs Greville and Whiting were the original contractors, for erectiog the bridge, but this firm having ceased business operations, the contract has been taken by Messrs Hare and Bull, who have carried out the erection in a most satisfactory manner.

With relerence to the NewGoldEieldonthe West Coast of Canterbury, the Press of the 11th instant says :—' On Wednesday Messrs Eevell and M'Pherson, of Kaiapoi, left for the

West Coast in company ■with a party of men

whom Cobb's coach had brought over from - that morning, bound in the same

direction.- Sergeant T. Brougham and Constable Cooper also passed through Kaiapoi >the same day en route for the West Coast,

where, it was understood, they are to be -stationed."

The New Zealander of the 3rd inst., makes the following important announcement :— -" We noticed yesterday a rumor, which had -obtained some currency, to the effect that

several regiments of her Majesty's forces

were about to be removed from the colony. "We are not in a position to give more accurate information on the subject. It is, we 'understand, an order from home that a with•drawal of the troops shall be commenced in -January, and gradually carried on,, until the of the force stationed in the colony

shall be brought down to that of one regiment. 'The regiment appointed to remain is the 18th rjEoyal Irish. The 14th Eegiment is to be -removed to Melbourne, and the rest of the

"force is to be'in England not later than "December 31st, 1865. This arrangement, however, is subject to modification. Should - the dolony desire to retain a larger force than -one regiment, the Home Government will not, 'at appears, object to meet our wishes, on con- • dition that an annual allowance of £40 per -man be paid for all over the one regiment -that isjt6;be stationed iv New Zealand." After?:"the usual parade of the Caversham

'Volunteers, on Eriday evening last, a special

meeting was held, at which the officer com--manding read two letters, one from J. W. Eeger, Esq., making an offer of a medal, value 'five guineas, to.be shot for by the contin--.gent, and placing at their disposal a building the purpose of drill; the other, from J. Hortdn, Esq., offering a similar medal. The letters were received with applause, and the

Secretary, Mr Jeffreys, was instructed to con-

vey to those gentlemen the cordial thanks of the Caversham volunteers, for the interest -they had manifested in the volunteer move--■ment by their kind offer. Sergeant Calder • stated that he knew of other prizes forthcoming, but that he was net justified in mentioning gentlemen's names at present. He thought it should be the object of the contingent to double their numbers and form an independent company, and with that view urged upon the members .the advisability of introducing new recruits. He further informed the meeting that Private Anderson had given psrmission to select a range for rifle practice •cut of his property. He (Mr Calder) would -offer the same privileges ; and, further, would ■be most happy to present the corps with a •suitable target. Ifc was decided that the, -officer and non-commissioned officers examine ,-the ground offered, for the purpose of selecting '^suitable range, and ascertain if the Government would be'likely to offer any objection to -the locality. The commanding officer gave notice that the contingent would start from the School Eoom on Tuesday (to-morrow) -evening at 7 o'clock sharp, for Dunedin, for 'the purpose of receiving their arms and accoutrements*.— Communicated.

The Canterbury Press of the 12th inst., ,-gives the'following summary of the Revenue -and Expenditure account of the Provincial "Government of Canterbury, for the quarter -ending on ihe 30th June last:—"The Hevenue received in the quarter amounts to .£153,759, including £5000 raised of the Rail•wayLoan, and £237 in the chest on the ..'lst April. It would therefore appear that the actual revenue raised in three months is :at the rate of very nearly £600,000 a year, The Land brought nearly £130,000; the -three-eighths of the Customs close upon .£BOOO ; Immigrants' Bills produced above .£3OOO ; and Publicans' Licenses £2800. Perhaps the contributions to Church building, £1800, ought hardly to be reckoned as Ec--venue at ali, but the item is small. Turning ;to the expenditure, it appears that £51,000 ■remained in the chest on the 30th June. The -expenditure on Public Works was about £40,000, and on Railways above £24,000. Then the Surveys and Public Works Office •carried off £8000, and Immigration £13,400. These extraneous departments, and the unexpended balance, account for £136,000 ; leaving only between' £16,000 and £17,000 ■out of the whole, spent on the work of what • may be properly called Government. By a proclamation in the General Government Gazette, his Excellency the Governor has ■altered the time for taking "the general census of the colony to a period between the 14th November and the 2nd December next. . We take the following from the Southern ' Cross, of the Ist instant :—"From accounts received it appears that Perenara, one of the <native assessors, met Rewi on his way to Taupo, between TePapa and Waikoea, when Eewi told him that the object of his present visit to Taupo was on account of news haying Teached him that a collision was likely to take ■place between the friendly natives and insurgents at Taupo ; and that he had come for -the purpose of preventing any fighting taking place between them, as • Taupo •was the only place of reluge for the women and children of both parties. It has been since learned that Eewi had another and more important object in view, which he did not break to Perenara, but kept for Matutaera, which is as follows .—Kewi began by SLOPS, &c,

telling a tale of two victories that had been gained at Taranaki, by the followers of Gabriel, over the troops; and he then stated^ that the principal object of his visit was owl account of messengers sent by the chief to--hunga of Gabriel to Hangatiki, for the purpose of soliciting Matutaera to proceed to Taranaki, on account of a dream dreamed by the said tohunga, relative to Matutaera and a large store full of loot that had been obtained from a vessel that had been wrecked through the interference of the angel Gabriel. The tale ran thus : That the tohunga dreamed that he saw Mntutaera's spirit, and when he approached him that he did obeisance to the king, but the king passed by him, went to his store, and found an entry into it. The tohunga followed after the king, and as he approached the store the king was coming out again, bearing in his hand an article out of the store. As soon as the king saw him he hewed to the tohunga, who, in rereturn, bowed to the king ;—and then awoke from his dream. The tohunga adds to this that in a former dream the angel Gabriel appeared to him, and told him that on account of some evil they had done he had withdrawn his protection from them, which was the cause of their defeat at Wanganui; but he would fight for them in another way, if they would strictly adhere to his instructions. His help would be rendered by wrecking vessels on the coast, thus enriching them and supplying them with arms and ammunition; and they would ultimately drive all the pakehas from their lands. Considering his dream concerning Matutaera and his * whare toa' as being a good omen, he immediately sent for Matutaera. Eewi in vain told his tales to the Taupo natives, in hopes of gaining converts, but was only ridiculed by many, and after about three weeks' solicitations he succeeded in inducing Matutaera to accompany him to Taranaki. When Te Hecheu, the present representative of the'late Te Heuheu, saw that Matutaera had consented to go to Taranaki, he addressed Matutaera to the following effect :— ' Listen to me. Two different religions have been introduced to us, the Protestant and the Roman Catholic, and under these two religions Potatau was made King—and now that man invents a new religion. As you are determined to listen to Eewi and go to Taranaki—go! but, recollect, if you find all that is said true, it will be very good ; if, on the contrary, we turn our backs upon you ! Matutaera then said, if he found all true he would return, or they would hear frcra him. If otherwise, it is not likely that he will return to Taupo." The tender of Messrs Dalrymple and Co., of Melbourne, for the erection of the new Chief Post Office, lias been accepted by the Provincial Government, to whom decision in the matter was delegated by the General Government. Tenders were requested for erecting the building in Waikava stone, Oamaru stone, Portobello stone, and brick and cement; and the following is the result: — ' . . PortojSTajte. Waikava. Oamaru. bello. B. and C. -£■ £ £ £ Pearce anil Packham 45219 ... J.Coliens 34959 ... ... 30235 ...'23535 DaUonandCo.... 25895 .. ... 314-91 ...21480 William Goggle ... 28950 ... 39000 ... 24G00 Charles ihhpt 31779 ... 21999 Walter Sigley 35750 ... 33150 ... 31000 ... 21650 JJackav and Goodfellow ....:....:..... 31720 ... 37-100 ... 2G892 ... 21976 Cormvelland llorsman 30500 ... , ... ... 31000 HugJiCaMer 4.1500 ... Youleand Co 30240 ... ... 23757 ... 19755 Wij Chester and Clay- -» ton ................. 33527 ... 37710 ... 26G99 ... 22325 Dalrymple and C 0.... 2978S ... 229G0 ... 2289G ... 20740 Messrs Mackay and Goodfellow, Messrs Youle and Co., and Messrs Dalrymple and Co., stipulate.l for cement capitals r only, in case the brick and cement style was adopted. The lowest tender in each case was a? follows :—Brick and cement, Youle and Co., £19,755 ; Oamaru stone, Dalrymple and Co., £22.960 (accepted) ; Portobello stone, Dalrymple and Co., £22,896; Waikava stone, Dalton and Co., £23,895. It will be seen that the final resolve is that Oamaru stone shall be used. We recently described the approved plans of Messrs Mason and Clayton, in which the whole interior had been re-cast, as the result of their working out a problem propounded by the Hon. T. B. Gillies, the Postmaster-General; and in which some modifications had been made in the tower, which will now be cf greater height but less ornate than it was at first designed. We then stated that it had been found that the Pleasant Eiver stone would be far too costly to work, and* that Waikava stone had been decided upon. The same objection has led to another change, and stone from Oamaru is to be used. We think that the change is a decided improvement, apart from the saving of £6000, which is worth consideration. Of the durability of the Waikava stone, there might be no theoretical doubt, but there was no proof; audits dull greyish brown color would < have given a somewhat sombre look to the building. The Oamaru stone is almost white, .gind in substance much resembles the Bill stone of the home-land. Of its durability there is proof ; for some monumental pillars in the old Cemetery have stood for 13 years and do not show the slightest sign of decay. It will look exceedingly well in the style of architecture chosen ; and it is much lighter and more easily workable than the Waikava stone. A resident representative of Messrs Dalrymple and Co. has already accepted the contract on their behalf, and has named securities for its performance ; so that, no doubt, the work will soon be commenced. The Southland News of the 12th instant says : —" We have great satisfaction in announcing that the first portion of the Southland Eailway will be opened, unless very unforeseen circumstances intervene to prevent it,' on or about' the 20th September proximo. The line is virtually completed. The locomotives axe being landed at the Bluff, and iv the course of a few days they will be in town. Since the return of the Superintendent from 7 TRUNKS BOOTS,

Auckland, upwards of £23,000 have been expended in meeting engagements on account of these works. It is satisfactory to know that everything is now so far advanced, that no difficulties can be anticipated in the way of opening the line to Makarewa within a month or five weeks from this date. We may add that the railway station and shed at the back of Dee street are fast approaching completion, and will afford the fullest accommodation both to the staff of the railway department and to the general public who may desire to use the line."

The Southland News has bragged so often about the position of its Province, that its belief seems at last to have attained to the force of a mania. The following patronising promise to Otago and Canterbury is quite a farce in its way : — *' This Province will be quite prepared to co-operate with Otago and Canterbury, in obtaining a legitimate scheme of financial accommodation for the whole oi the southern settlements. But it would be unfair to forget that Southland only is in a position to pledge for its necessary accommodation a tangible security. We possess valuable property upon which we can give a lien. We are in a position at any moment to hand over either to the General Government or to the provincial creditor a substantial security —a security, not of ' good faith,' or any other impalpable guarantee—bat of tangible and material assets."

It should have been mentioned, in. connection with, the notice of the presentation made to Mr and Mrs Holt, on Friday evening, that the service of plate presented was supplied by Messrs N. Salomon and Co. of Princes street, in whose establishment the engraving on each article was executed. The whole was highly creditable to this well-known firm.

Another township has been laid out for the military settlers. It is called Cambridge, and is situated about three miles from Pukerimu. The soil is represented as being suitable for agricultural purposes.

We call attention to the letter in another column on the abominable condition of the new Jetty. The subject certainly demands the attention of the harbor authorities.

This evening a tea meet'ag, in connection with the Congregational Church, under the pastoral care of the Key. John Fraser, will be held in the Masonic Hall, Port Chalaiers. John Eathgate, Esq., is expected to take the chair, and several of the neighboring clergy and laymen will.it is expected, take part in the subsequent proceedings. The principal object is to devise measures for erecting a Congregational Church at the Port; and arrangements have been made, by which friends from Dunedin may return the same evening. Particulars will be found in the advertisement.

Mr W. Eyan takes a benefit at the Princess Theatre on Wednesday evening ; the company consisting of some members of the late corps of the Theatre, with the addition of others who have played there or at the Eoyal. " Honesty is the Best Policy" is to be the first piece ; and as an interlude, there is to be "nigger" and other singing, jig dancing, &c. The programme is a novel one, and Mr Eyan well deserves a large attendance.

On Saturday morning, a person named Peter Henderson, keeper of an oyster saloon in the Arcade, was summoned before the Resident Magistrate, charging with sufiering prostitutes and persons of notoriously bad character to assemble; in his house at three a.m. on the 7th inst. He was fined £3 and costs. The adjourned application for a slaughter-house license at Anderson's Bay, was again taken up. The Inspector of Slaughter-houses for Dunedin gave it as his opinion that the proposed site was'about the best for a, slaughter-house which could be obtained in the district, keeping'everything in view. Mr Cutten appeared to oppose the application, but after witnesses had been examined on both sides, the Magistrate granted the license for one year.